Sidewalks On The Corner

Simon Pegg makes a run for it after getting cold feet on his wedding day, but what he doesn’t realize is that he's also running away from his responsibilities. But all he wanted was to have a since of purpose and self worth.

Follow up:

RUN, FATBOY, RUN
Rating: PG-13

Filmakers:
Written by Michael Ian Black
Directed by David Schwimmer

Cast:
Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton, Hank Azaria

STUDIO SYNOPSIS
DENNIS (Simon Pegg) is an ordinary guy. He’s a little overweight and he smokes, but he’s nice, charming and unassuming. However, five years ago, Dennis did something that wasn’t so nice.

On his wedding day to his pregnant fiancé LIBBY (Thandie Newton), Dennis did a runner. He just couldn’t go through with it. He didn’t think he was good enough for Libby, so instead of ruining her life, he ruined her big day.

Now, five years later, Dennis realizes he made a big mistake. He’s still in love with Libby. He still sees her all the time because of JAKE (Matthew Fenton), their five-year-old son, but all romantic ties have been severed. Libby’s now seeing WHIT (Hank Azaria), a charming professional from the City, and Dennis takes an immediate dislike to him. Whit is casual, easy-going, successful and good with Jake; much to Dennis’s annoyance. How can Dennis compete with him?

In direct contrast to Whit’s sleek lifestyle in the City, Dennis is a mere security guard for a ladies retail store. He doesn’t earn much money and he’s well behind on his rent, something which his landlord, MR GHOSHDASHTIDAR (Harish Patel), doesn’t take lightly. Mr G’s daughter MAYA (India de Beaufort) is particularly intent on evicting Dennis and replacing him with a much more reliable tenant. Compared to Whit’s effortless abilities, everything Dennis attempts seems to end in disaster. Even when he wants to take Jake to see “Lord of the Rings: The Musical,” he finds himself in trouble with the police for trying to buy from a ticket tout. There is no help forthcoming from Dennis’ feckless best friend GORDON (Dylan Moran), whose life is just as much of a mismatch. Gordon’s main sources of interest are the poker games held at the back of a piano store with a bunch of misfits: GROVER, CLAUDINE and MICKEY, overseen by the imperious VINCENT (Simon Day).

Dennis feels demoralized and overwhelmed by Whit’s long list of achievements. In a last-ditch effort to prove to Libby that he’s changed his ways, Dennis impulsively announces at her birthday party that he will run in the same London Marathon that Whit has been training for. But does Dennis have the stuff to trade his cold feet for running shoes? RUN, FAT BOY, RUN is a romantic comedy that affirms that true love isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.

J.P.'s TAKE:
David Schwimmer (Ross from Friends) makes his feature film debut with "Run, Fat Boy, Run," with excellent results. I have to admit I was slightly apprehensive about seeing this film, because I knew absolutely nothing about it. However, it turns out to be quit a surprise. I expected the film to be a sappy, gushy father-and-son-themed movie that ran loose without a leash with the mellow drama. I didn't expect the rip roaring laughs a minute to come at me like a flood. Nor did I expect the characters to be so charming and heartwarming. On top of the laughs a go-go, the message about making the most of a second chance was inspiring, even if it were a bit long winded with the moral of the story.

The word "natural" comes to mind when describing Simon Pegg's performance as Dennis, because he is as natural with his dramatic acting as he is with his comedic acting. I would compare Pegg to fellow British comedian Rowan Atkinson (a.k.a Mr. Bean); by the way he uses his body language and comedic timing. Thandie Newton is a doll and has nice screen presence as Libby, with her sweet smile and charming personality, she can light up the screen. Hank Azaria plays Libby's new boyfriend Whit, an American whose nice guy image gets tarnished by his own jerky, egotistical actions; Azaria doesn’t normally play rolls like this, however. he did a nice job.

Great job by the supporting cast as well. Harish Patel played Mr. Goshdashtidar, provide both comic relief as well as life changing philosophy. Dylan Moran gives a dynamic performance as best friend Gordon, who acted as Dennis's conscience and was the exhibitionist in the film. Even though India De Beaufort (daughter Maya Goshdashtidar) was only in a couple of scenes, she found a way to add just a little sex appeal to the film. Then, there's the cute kid factor: Matthew Fenton plays Dennis's son Jake who practically steals your heart.

My hat goes off to the filmmakers, especially David Schwimmer for his superb direction and also Simon Pegg and Michael Ian Black for the tight and well scripted writing. "Run, Fat Boy, Run" has such a feel good that towards the end I cared about the characters and routed for the underdog of the story all the way. Overall, I was satisfied with results and my previous judgment of the film changed. This is a must see.